Game Recaps

Schwartz Nets Game Winner in Home Opener2012-10-19

St. Louis Blues first round pick Jaden Schwartz scored his first AHL goal and it stood up as the game-winner in a 2-1 win for the Peoria Rivermen (1-2-1-0) in their home opener against the Rockford IceHogs (0-2-0-1) on Friday night. Schwartz and his linemates accounted for both Rivermen goals and Jake Allen made 28 saves as Peoria won its first game of the season.

Anthony Peluso and Brandon Bollig set the tone early, with the first of three fights in the game, just four seconds after the opening faceoff. With the pair still in the box, Peter LeBlanc struck to give the IceHogs a 1-0 lead just 1:57 into the first.

The score stayed put all the way until T.J. Hensick put the Rivermen on the board at 12:40 of the second. Schwartz created a turnover in the corner that allowed Derek Nesbitt to find Hensick in front of the net for his second of the season.

The game wasn’t tied for long as Nesbitt and Hensick assisted Schwartz’s tally at 16:13. Schwartz beat goaltender Carter Hutton five-hole from the low slot to give the Rivermen the lead for good.

The Rivermen outshot the Ice Hogs 34-29. Peoria was 0-for-6 on the power play while Rockford was 0-for-5.

The Rivermen continue their six-game homestand on Friday against Chicago at 7:05 p.m. For tickets or information call 309-676-1040 or visit www.rivermen.net.